Wedding Bells Bug Hunt

by Trinary


Chapter 11

The next morning, Rainbow Dash woke up feeling refreshed for the first time that week. It was like all the stress and tension that had continually kept her on edge had just faded away. No more deliberating, guessing, snooping or second-guessing; just action. She knew what course to take and she was going to take it. She’d prefer to act, even if it meant possibly making a mistake, than wait and endlessly deliberate and debate with yourself over what maybe-possibly-could-sort of-perhaps be the right choice.
 
She made her way from the wing of the castle she and the others were staying in to the throne room. Rainbow just felt lighter, and even managed to have something like a spring in her step. She nodded to that guard she’d almost attacked the other day, who just looked at her, clearly trying to reconcile this with his last encounter with her.
 
Rainbow grinned and saw a clearly bedraggled Derpy and Cloud Kicker trying to keep up with an excited group of kids. She stopped and headed over. “Hey, kids.”
 
Six pairs of eyes widened as they looked on the pony widely acclaimed (by them) to be the coolest pony in Ponyville. They cheered and bore down upon her. “Rainbow Dash!”
 
Dinky galloped ahead of the herd and leaped up for a hug, ending up neatly caught in Rainbow’s forelegs. “Hi!” She hugged her godmother tight. “Mommy and Miss Cloud were showing us the castle and it’s. So. Cool!”
 
“Heh, glad you like it, kiddo.” She gave the others a wave with her wing. “How’s it going fillies? And Pip?”
 
“Awesome!” They shouted back, Scootaloo easily out-yelling the others as she stepped in front of them. “Pinkie Pie threw this amazing party in the castle for us and we got to listen to awesome music and hide inside these really cool suits of armor and then we went outside and saw these really weird looking statues in the garden and--” Apple Bloom’s hoof abruptly cut off Scootaloo’s gushing.

Dinky nodded. “And we got to see some of ‘lula’s family in the guards, but we couldn’t really talk to them cuz they were being all store-icky. Wutever that means. Like this!” She gave her best super-serious-stoney face. “They were almost like the statues in the garden! And the statues look so. Darn. REAL!” Dinky thought for a moment. “Miss Princess doesn't have any creepy stoney spells, does she?”

Rainbow snorted. “No Dinky, I promise you the Princess doesn’t make anypony get stoned.” She grinned and set her down. “But that all sounds really—wait, Pinkie threw a party for you?” She looked up to Cloud and Derpy, who shrugged. Confusion reigned on Dash’s face. “She was with us last night. How could she throw two parties at the same time in two totally different places and—it’s Pinkie Pie, why am I even asking at this point?”  She sighed, rubbing her muzzle with her hoof. “Anyway, that sounds really cool. Buuut I know of something even cooler. Wanna see?”

“YEAH!” Dinky cheered as the others nodded.

“Follow me kids--and that includes you two big kids,” she dipped her head to Cloud and Derpy, “and I'll show you the most awesome thing in the castle.”

Cloud Kicker rolled her eyes and deadpanned. “Says the biggest kid in the group.”

“She does project a bit, doesn't she?” Derpy chimed in.

Rainbow just snorted and tossed her mane. “You are so jealous, Cloud. It's just sad…” she shook her head slowly. “Isn't it 'lula?”

Cloud’s little sister nodded and grinned mischievously. “Rainbow's way cooler.” Cloud feigned being cut to the quick, clutching at her heart.

The other foals were quick to agree. “Yah-HUH she is!” Dinky nodded importantly.

“She's the coolest. Pony. EVER!” Scootaloo proclaimed.

Pip hopped up. “She’s amazing!”

Apple Bloom tilted her head. “She ain't bad,” she shrugged, knowing that nopony could beat out her sister and brother.

“Well Rarity--” Sweetie Belle started before trailing off, thinking hard for a moment. “--has a really nice mane!”

Giving her friends a superior looking smirk, Rainbow chuckled. “Majority rules, guys. Come on, follow me!” She flew up in the air, did a swift victory lap over the heads of the eagerly watching kids, and then zoomed down a nearby hallway.

Cloud Kicker shook her head as the kids each followed Rainbow Dash in their own unique way: from Dinky’s happy hopping to Alula’s flying, Pip’s quick scramble to keep up with the longer-legged ponies and the stampede like run of the others. “And then Rainbow's head grew three sizes that day,” she commented dryly to Derpy.

If Rainbow heard her, she gave no sign. “Okay, and we're walking and we're walking…” she gestured to the foals, leading them down the corridors of the castle. “So, everypony having fun getting set for the wedding and stuff?”

Dinky nodded. “Yeah! I'm excited!”

“I get to hold the rings for the Princess and Captain Armor!” Pipsqueak tossed in.

“An' that's. So. COOL!” Dinky said. “The ring-bearer's rilly important, 'cuz ya can't have a wedding without rings!” She frowned. “Well, unless you use earrings, but they're not.”

“And our dresses are sooo pretty!” Sweetie squeaked. “My big sister made them special for us!”

Derpy nodded, giving her trademark wall-eyed smile. “And she did a wonderful job, too. You're going to look beautiful.”

Even while Sweetie Belle beamed happily, Scootaloo made gagging noises and Alula pouted. “I don't wanna look beautiful, I wanna look tough.”

“You said it.” Scootaloo agreed.

“I’m not wearing a dress, cuz I’m not a filly.” Pipsqueak pointed out with a grateful nod.

“Dummy can wear mine for me,” Alula grumbled.

Derpy struggled for a proper answer. “You'll look ... um...” she glanced briefly to Rainbow. “Dashing!”

“Heh, Dashing is pretty awesome.” Rainbow winked.

That made Alula and Scootaloo pause to think it over. They looked at one another, then nodded in agreement before looking back to Derpy. “Well, if we look like Rainbow Dash then it's okay.” Alula allowed.

“Speaking of…” Rainbow pointed to the hallway leading to the throne room. “Prepare for awesomeness.”

“Why?” Dinky tilted her head, then gasped. “Did Miss Princess make another you?!” Derpy rolled her eyes.

Rainbow grinned and made a grand sweeping motion with her wing and foreleg. The corridor walls were dominated by several large, ornate stained glass windows depicting key events in Equestrian history.

“Those’re some mighty big windows,” Apple Bloom observed. “Good thing nopony has to draw the blinds.”

“Hope nopony plays hoofball in the yard.” Pip commented.

“Or soccer!” Dinky added.

Pipsqueak frowned. “That is hoofball.”

“No, it isn’t!” Alula argued.

Before the argument could break out in full, Rainbow cleared her throat and tilted her head to a specific window. This one immediately drew the attention of every filly (and colt), for it was dominated by an image of Nightmare Moon. The Mare of Darkness was in the process of being enveloped by a bright rainbow emanating from six familiar mares.

Cloud nudged Rainbow. “So they didn't go for your design idea after all. Granted, you decking Nightmare Moon in the schnoz while everypony else cheers you on wouldn't look as good.”

“Aww, but that sounds cool!” Alula commented.

“It's still very pretty,” Derpy added. She missed seeing Rainbow Dash roll her eyes at Cloud Kicker before smacking her with a wing.

“It’s really nice!” Dinky hugged Rainbow’s leg tightly. “You showed her, huh?”

“An' Applejack did, too!” Apple Bloom added, a touch defensively.

The next window depicted the liberation of the Crystal Empire and the defeat of King Sombra. Sombra was surrounded by a ring made of Rainbow Dash and her friends. But around them was a ring of other ponies that included Cadance, Shining Armor and some very familiar-looking foals.

Derpy’s eyes straightened and went wide. “Muffin, you're on that window too!

Dinky gasped. “I am?!” She zipped over to look. Her eyes went wide too as she spied a pair of bushwoolies running away from the three foals. “That's. So. COOL!”

“Whoa!” Pip was similarly amazed. “Lookit 'lula! We're HEROES!”

“COOL!” Alula grinned, puffing up proudly.

Derpy hugged her daughter tight. “I'm so proud of you, Muffin. And I know your friends' families are proud of them too!”

“Aw ... now Ah wanna be on a stained glass window.” Apple Bloom looked dejected. “Do Ah have to punch a booshwoolie?”

Rainbow chuckled and winked. “Look again, you’re there.” She pointed to the foals with Cadance and Shining Armor. Sure enough, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were there.

Scootaloo’s eyes went wide and her jaw fell open in shock. “So … awesome…”

“Yep, you kids were all pretty awesome up there.” Rainbow nodded.

“Yaaay!” Sweetie cheered. “Wait'll Rarity sees this!”

Alula proudly stuck out her chest and grinned at Cloud. “I'm on a stained glass window, and you're not. Nyah!”

Dinky giggled. “Sparky's gonna be soooooooooo jealous!”

Derpy groaned good-naturedly. “Muffin…”

“Come on kids, don't pull a Rainbow on us.” Cloud snarked.

Rainbow Dash snorted. “They’re totally jealous, right kids?”

“Soooooooooooooooooo jealous.” Dinky giggled.

“More jelly than a piece o'toast!” Apple Bloom proclaimed.

Sweetie Belle nodded. “So jealous that they're um … really jealous!” She beamed. Scootaloo facehooved.

Chuckling, Rainbow pointed down another hallway. “I have to go do some stuff now. But down that way is the kitchens. Maybe they'll let you guys taste-test some of the treats for the wedding.” She paused. “But, uh, listen for any noise before you go in. If you hear them shouting stuff, come back later.” The last thing she needed was for them to learn any new words thanks to Chef Ramsay and Applejack. “Okay?”

“Ah-HUH! Thanks Rainbow!” Dinky hugged her. “I love you, ‘kay?”

It was times like this that made Rainbow really remember just why she loved being Dinky’s godmom. “You too Dinks. See you later kids.”

“Bye Rainbow!” Scootaloo beamed, not quite bold enough to try to go for a hug herself. “Can we watch you practice later?” Her pleading expression was mirrored by Alula’s.

“Heh, don’t see why not.” Rainbow winked. “See you kids later … that includes you two.” She smirked at Derpy and Cloud.

Cloud Kicker rolled her eyes. “That joke gets funnier every time you make it.”

“Much like your face.” Rainbow returned breezily as she waved them off, heading straight for the throne room.

She arrived at the door to the throne room and took a breath, straightening her shoulders. Piece of cake. I go in, I tell Celestia what I found, we make a new plan and we stomp the bugs. Easy-peasey one-two-threesie. She blinked. Gotta stop letting Pinkie Pie’s little rhymes get in my head. Once they get in, they’ll never leave.
 
The doors opened. Anxiousness and adrenaline gave speed to her movements, swiftly trotting inside. Princess Celestia sat upon her throne, the room strangely dark with all the windows and doors closed and the room empty of its usual guards and aides. “Princess Celestia? I need to talk to you.” Her voice echoed dimly off the walls.
 
Celestia gave a motherly smile and nodded, encouraging Rainbow to come closer. “Of course, Rainbow Dash. What is it?”
 
“It's about, well, the changeling business. I spent all week watching my friends to see which one of them was the imposter.
 
“Ah, yes. Very good, Rainbow Dash. And what have you discovered?” She leaned in slightly.
 
“Yeah,” Rainbow nodded. “I did what you said and—” she struggled briefly with finding just the right way to say it, but then decided it was better to just get it over and done with. “I don’t think any of my friends are changelings.” She blurted out, wincing slightly in anticipation of a rebuke.
 
The Princess didn’t say anything at first. Her smile contracted slightly’ as she took a deep breath and sighed. After a moment of silence, she softly murmured. “Yes, I suspected that might be the case.”
 
Rainbow was practically rocked back on her hooves, dumbfounded. “Y-you did?! But I spent days before I figured that!”
 
Celestia stood up and walked down from her throne, stopping just in front of Dash. “I have something to confess to you, Rainbow. I hope you won't judge me too harshly for it, but ... I have not been entirely honest with you.”
 
“W-what are you talking about?” Rainbow felt an icy pit open up in her stomach, even though she didn’t quite know why.
 
“There is one bearer of the Elements whose identity you haven't checked.” The princess informed her solemnly, lowering her head.
 
Rainbow’s eyes widened. “That’s impossible! I checked everypony! Is—is there a new Element of Harmony? Is that it? Who did I miss?”
 
Celestia met Rainbow’s gaze. “Yourself.”
 
Rainbow took a step back. “W-what?!”
 
“Yes,” Celestia nodded. “And I'm afraid the evidence uncovered by your own efforts at investigating your friends has proven that you are the changeling.”
 
“Y-your—that’s—!” That set Rainbow sputtering incoherently until she could get herself under control. “I’m not a changeling! That’s insane!”
 
All the princess did was shake her head and smile sadly. “And what better spy than one who doesn't even believe they're a spy?”
 
Rainbow felt her mind reel. “You’re wrong! I’m me! I’d know if I wasn’t me!”
 
“You must be confined, for the safety of my little ponies.” Her horn lit up and the doors closed behind Rainbow. “Please do not resist, I have no wish to harm you.” Her calm, soothing voice only contrasted all the more to how insane and impossible the situation was for Rainbow Dash.
 
“This is wrong! This is messed up!” She looked around frantically, the looming dark of the sealed off room only adding to her anxiety. “I'm the real Rainbow Dash! You gotta believe me!”
 
Princess Celestia’s face was impassive. “Are you? Let's put it to the test...” She gestured to a door on the far side of the room, which opened thanks to her magic. In walked Rainbow Dash’s friends, the other Element bearers.
 
Rainbow sighed in relief as she spotted them. “Guys! Oh thank the Wonderbolts! This is so nuts—you have to tell her that I'm me!” Her only response was stony silence and the steady clip-clops of hooves on the floor. They stopped beside the Princess, not offering Rainbow any of the usual warmth and friendship, but instead looking at her very warily. Dash’s wings drooped. “Guys?” she repeated weakly, almost begging.
 
Twilight looked down and shuffled her hooves. “The Princess explained everything to us, and ... you have been acting rather strangely, Rainbow.”
 
A frustrated scream of disbelief bubbled up from within the horror struck pegasus, but nothing came out. She was completely breathless.
 
“Don't call that thing Rainbow!” Applejack snapped irritably at Twilight. “It ain't Rainbow, it's just some kinda monster pretending to be her.” She turned to glare at Rainbow Dash, taking a challenging step forward.
 
Cringing, Rainbow stepped back. “B-but--But I am Rainbow!” She held her face in her hooves. “This can't be happening...”
 
“You have been acting really weird and nosey...” Pinkie Pie frowned, no sign of her typical mirth or bubbliness anywhere to be seen.
 
Fluttershy nervously twitched her wings before gently speaking up. “The Princess told us that you're a new kind of changeling, that really believes it's the pony it's pretending to be. Because that way, you'll be a better spy. So ... um ... I guess you haven't really done anything wrong, but we still want the real Rainbow Dash back.”
 
“I am Rainbow Dash!” she snapped angrily, stomping her hoof and spreading her wings aggressively. “I’m Rainbow feathering Dash!”
 
However all she accomplished was making Fluttershy give out a frightened squeak and hide behind Rarity. The prim unicorn cleared her throat. “Think about it, Rai—” she then spotted the glare Applejack was sending her way and amended herself, “Er ... you. Haven't you noticed a great many incongruities in your life lately?”
 
“Incon-what?” Rainbow closed her eyes. This is all a bad dream. Like showing up for the Wonderbolt tryouts without any wings. This can’t be real. This can’t be real, this can’t be real… 

When she opened them again, Twilight had taken several steps forward. She had a sad, resigned look on her face. “I made a list of all the things you've done over the last week that seem improper for the real Rainbow Dash.”
 
“T-that doesn’t mean anything! I’m the real me!”
 
“If we smack this lyin' thing around, will it stop pretendin' to be our friend?” Applejack asked darkly.
 
Rainbow felt something snap inside her chest, like too much pressure on her sternum during a high-speed dive. “I'm not lying! It’s me! Remember that talk we had, on the train north when Sombra stole the kids?”
 
“The Princess said you have all of Rainbow's memories, to make you a better spy.” Rarity countered, unmoved.
 
The Princess nodded sadly. “It is easy for a changeling to rob the minds of their victims.”
 
“But that—that's no fair! I am me!” Rainbow cried out. She looked to her friends imploringly. “You have to believe me! You're making a mistake!”
 
“You have been acting oddly all week,” Twilight pointed out, levitating a scroll in front of her. “Your behavior has been erratic, you’ve been suspicious one moment then helpful the next. You practically tried to interrogate me at the bachelorette party and earlier when you stayed at my house, for one.” She frowned, clearly remembering. “You’ve expressed interest in what all of us have been doing for the wedding despite the fact that you’ve never indicated an interest in cooking, sewing or animal care before.” She narrowed her eyes. “In fact, you’ve hardly been training for your Sonic Rainboom at all.”

Rainbow felt her jaw drop. “What?! But--I--this isn't right! This is all wrong...” she flittered this way and that, her hooves tapping anxiously against the floor.
 
With her magic the Princess raised a pair of manacles. “Please put these on. I ask that you come along quietly and do not resist.”
 
The sight of her teacher, mentor and practically second mother holding up cold iron restraints panicked Rainbow Dash in a way she never thought possible. “Wait, no! Please! There's gotta be some way I can prove that I'm me!” She looked this way or that for some shred of support, any indication that the Princess or her friends would give her even the benefit of the doubt. An icy chill ran down her spine when she found none. “I-I know! I can do a Sonic Rainboom! That'll prove it! No bug can do that--” she started lifted off the ground, checking to see if she had enough space to pull it off--which of course she didn’t, but her desperation made her overlook trifling details like that.

“Please do not try to run, it will only make things harder.” Celestia tilted her head up.

“Just let me do this!” Rainbow looked this way and that, “A Rainboom'll prove that I'm the real Rainbow Daaa---ack!”

Rainbow yelped as a lasso slipped around her and grew taut. At the other end, Applejack gave a sudden yank that brought Rainbow crashing down to the ground. “No, you don’t!” the cowpony growled as she began tying Rainbow roughly, inspite of her struggling.

“Let me go! I’m Rainbow!”

“No, you're not!” Pinkie Pie yelled, startling Rainbow into silence. “The real Dashie's sitting in a cave somewhere, all scared and alone and trapped, and you're pretending to be her and coming to my parties and eating Dashie's cupcakes!”

Applejack nodded gruffly. “That’s right! You shut your lyin’ mouth!” She glared at Rainbow as she slapped the manacles on. “Ah want mah real friend back!”

“Please!” Rainbow begged, tears starting to well up as she was bound. “Don't do this!”

Fluttershy bit her lip. “Princess, are you sure that…”

“Yes,” the Princess answered sadly. “I am.”

Rarity also looked uncertain as she looked over to the thoroughly restrained Rainbow Dash. “Don't struggle, I'm sure the Princess will help you later. Even if you're not really our friend, you have her thoughts and memories.”

Rainbow shook her head but was prevented from further protest by Applejack sharply tugging on her manacles. “C’mon, you!”

The doors opened once more, revealing a pair of guards. Rainbow Dash shot her friends and mentor one last pleading look, only to feel her heart shatter when they either glared at her or looked away. She wasn’t sure which one was worse. It was like some powerful being had just scooped out her soul, leaving her hollow and empty. When the guards escorted her out, she didn’t resist.